"With a degree in Fine Arts and a career in fashion, first working as an illustrator and then with Nicole Farhi, I took a break to have three children. Once my youngest was in school I began to look for a way to combine my creativity with work that would fit into my busy schedule of school runs and after school activities and enrolled on a short course taught by Rowena Luke-King at London College of Fashion. For me this course, which combined textile design and soft bag making, was an absolute revelation and kick-started me into developing a line of accessories which I now successfully market under my own label 'wada'. Over the years I have continued to study with Rowena through a series of occasional one-on-one lessons in which she manages to dispense equal amounts of superb technical advice, excellent creative inspiration as well as her trademark enthusiasm when I am at my wit’s-end with a construction problem or just in need of a trusted and objective opinion of my work". Eileen Willett

"I graduated in architecture but dreamed of working in fashion. After a short course with Rowena, in which I learnt the basics of fashion design and pattern cutting I went on to set up my own business, manufacturing and selling my own line of apres sports wear. With the knowledge and experience that I gained from doing this I began to look for jobs in the fashion business and went on to work for Mulberry. I am now working for Gucci" Lucy Tulcher

"I was a manageress at John Lewis when I attended a short course with Rowena Luke-King. At that time I thought a career in Fashion was just a dream but with Rowena's support and expert tuition I was able to put together a portfolio of work and was accepted by two Universities to study fashion full-time. Four years later I graduated with a 1st class BA Hons Degree and have now opened a shop selling my own line of club wear called Urban Angel". Lisa White

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